Neko no Dayan: Nihon e Iku

Neko no Dayan: Nihon e Iku, or Dayan the Cat: Going to Japan, is a 2015 television series installment based on the long-running Dayan character created by illustrator Akiko Ikeda. The character first appeared in 1983, originating from Ikeda's whimsical watercolor storybooks set in the magical land of Wachifield. This specific adaptation was developed to bring the beloved, cynical, and adventurous tabby cat into a domestic Japanese travelogue narrative, blending the character's signature European-inspired fantasy aesthetic with real-world Japanese locales.

The series was produced by the studio WACHIFIELD and utilized a distinctive animation style intended to preserve the intricate, soft-textured quality of Ikeda's original paintings. As part of a larger franchise that includes picture books, stationery, and a dedicated retail presence, the series served as a promotional and narrative bridge for fans of the established lore. It was received as a gentle, slice-of-life departure from the high-fantasy roots of the franchise, focusing on the character's interactions with various Japanese cultural touchstones.